As the League of Ireland Under-19's section gears up for the kick-off of its third season this weekend, Pat Duffy feels that while it has been successful so far, there is still more that can be done to raise the standard, competitiveness and representation of the league across the country.
The FAI’s National Underage Development Officer believes the U-19's league has taken great strides since its inception in 2011, when it effectively replaced the defunct A Championship as the reserve tier of football in the League of Ireland.
And Duffy’s assertion ahead of the 2013/14 campaign is an acknowledgement of the fact that, as a gateway to highest level of the game in this country, it is important to ensure that all those involved in the league continue to push hard to raise the standard as he knows the rewards will be felt nationwide.
“It’s all about player development and providing a pathway to the first team. The age profile of the First Division, it could be said, has come down because of the players coming through who have plied their trade in the 19's league,” Duffy told loi19.com.
“There are lads coming through and getting a look in in the Premier Division too, such as John Kavanagh, Garry Buckley and Stephen Kenny at Cork City, who of course have won the double-double at 19s level. This is all a reflection of the talent the Under-19 league is producing.”
Continue reading my interview with Pat Duffy on loi19.com.
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